WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday dealt a setback to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows in his defense against 2020 election interference charges in Georgia, turning away his attempt to transfer his case from state to federal court.

His lawyers argued that the case should be moved because he was acting as a “federal officer” at the time and could therefore argue for immunity from prosecution.

The argument failed in lower courts, with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals concluding that because Meadows is no longer a federal official, the provision that would allow the case to be moved to federal court does not apply to him.

The appeals court also found that even if he was deemed to be a federal officer, "the events giving rise to this criminal action were not related to Meadows' official duties."

Meadows faces two counts in the sprawling Georgia election interference case over his role in efforts to keep Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. He has pleaded not guilty.

There are 18 other defendants, including Trump himself, who also has pleaded not guilty to the charges.